SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A FIRING LOCKOUT
A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first firing member lockout provided the stapling device. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent the firing member of the device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in said stapling device.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/866,208, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH FEATURES FOR DEFEATING LOCKOUTS IN SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES, filed Jun. 25, 2019, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,310, entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,319, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/807,309, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue.
Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONApplicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on even date herewith and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:
U.S. Patent Application entitled METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH A REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP1/190162-1M;
U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A CLOSURE LOCKOUT, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP3/190162-3;
U.S. Patent Application entitled UNIVERSAL CARTRIDGE BASED KEY FEATURE THAT UNLOCKS MULTIPLE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS IN DIFFERENT SURGICAL STAPLERS, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP4/190162-4;
U.S. Patent Application entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINERS WITH FRANGIBLE RETENTION FEATURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP5/190162-5;
U.S. Patent Application entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH FRANGIBLE AUTHENTICATION KEY, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP6/190162-6;
U.S. Patent Application entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH RETRACTABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP7/190162-7;
U.S. Patent Application entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER SYSTEM WITH AUTHENTICATION KEYS, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP8/190162-8;
U.S. Patent Application entitled INSERTABLE DEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUTS, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP9/190162-9;
U.S. Patent Application entitled DUAL CAM CARTRIDGE BASED FEATURE FOR UNLOCKING A SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUT, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP10/190162-10;
U.S. Patent Application entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH CAM SURFACES CONFIGURED TO ENGAGE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PORTIONS OF A LOCKOUT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP11/190162-11;
U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH MOVABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY ARRANGEMENTS, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP12/190162-12;
U.S. Patent Application entitled DEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR DEFEATING SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE LOCKOUTS, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP13/190162-13; and
U.S. Patent Application entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH INTEGRAL AUTHENTICATION KEYS, Attorney Docket No. END9170USNP14/190162-14.
Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Design Patent Applications that were filed on Jun. 25, 2019 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:
U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/696,066, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH FIRING SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY;
U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/696,067, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY; and
U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/696,072, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE.
Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Feb. 21, 2019 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,658, entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,670, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,675, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKED CONFIGURATION UNLESS A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,685, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,693, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,704, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,707, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT,
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,741, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,762, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,660, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH FIRING MEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN ONBOARD TISSUE CUTTING FEATURE;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,666, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,660, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,678, entitled ROTARY DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND FRAME ENGAGEMENT FEATURES; and
U.S. patent application e Ser. No. 16/281,682, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS AND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING.
Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.
The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.
Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working frame through which the end effector and elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.
A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is not removable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.
The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of a longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may be possible.
The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second, or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The drivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient members configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positions and their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, and the staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.
Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam which engages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap, between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firing member also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for the knife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the ramped surfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.
The previous housing 1012 depicted in
Referring now to
Still referring to
An arm 1061 may extend from the release button assembly 1062. A magnetic element 1063, such as a permanent magnet, for example, may be mounted to the arm 1061. When the release button assembly 1062 is rotated from its first position to its second position, the magnetic element 1063 can move toward a circuit board 1100. The circuit board 1100 can include at least one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of the magnetic element 1063. In at least one embodiment, for example, a “Hall Effect” sensor (not shown) can be mounted to the bottom surface of the circuit board 1100. The Hall Effect sensor can be configured to detect changes in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused by the movement of the magnetic element 1063. The Hall Effect sensor can be in signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which can determine whether the release button assembly 1062 is in its first position, which is associated with the unactuated position of the closure trigger 1032 and the open configuration of the end effector, its second position, which is associated with the actuated position of the closure trigger 1032 and the closed configuration of the end effector, and/or any position between the first position and the second position.
In at least one form, the handle 1014 and the frame 1020 may operably support another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system 1080 that is configured to apply firing motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. The firing drive system 1080 may also be referred to herein as a “second drive system”. The firing drive system 1080 may employ an electric motor 1082 that is located in the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014. In various forms, the motor 1082 may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In other arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor 1082 may be powered by a power source 1090 that in one form may comprise a removable power pack 1092. As can be seen in
As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electric motor 1082 can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operably interfaces with a gear reducer assembly 1084 that is mounted in meshing engagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 1122 on a longitudinally-movable drive member 1120. In use, a voltage polarity provided by the power source 1090 can operate the electric motor 1082 in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electric motor 1082 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor 1082 is rotated in one direction, the drive member 1120 will be axially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor 82 is driven in the opposite rotary direction, the drive member 1120 will be axially driven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle 1014 can include a switch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor 1082 by the power source 1090. As with the other forms described herein, the handle 1014 can also include a sensor that is configured to detect the position of the drive member 1120 and/or the direction in which the drive member 1120 is being moved.
Actuation of the motor 1082 can be controlled by a firing trigger 1130 that is pivotally supported on the handle 1014. The firing trigger 1130 may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The firing trigger 1130 may be biased into the unactuated position by a spring 1132 or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger 1130, it may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring 1132 or biasing arrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger 1130 can be positioned “outboard” of the closure trigger 1032 as was discussed above. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button 1134 may be pivotally mounted to the closure trigger 1032 by the pin 1035. The safety button 1134 may be positioned between the firing trigger 1130 and the closure trigger 1032 and have a pivot arm 1136 protruding therefrom. See
As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 has a rack of teeth 1122 formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear 1086 of the gear reducer assembly 1084. At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable “bailout” assembly 1140 that is configured to enable the clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 should the motor 1082 become disabled. The bailout assembly 1140 may include a lever or bailout handle assembly 1142 that is configured to be manually pivoted into ratcheting engagement with the rack of teeth 1122 also provided in the drive member 1120. Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member 1120 by using the bailout handle assembly 1142 to ratchet the drive member 1120 in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, discloses bailout arrangements and other components, arrangements and systems that may also be employed with the various instruments disclosed herein. U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Turning now to
The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can further include a closure system or closure member assembly 3000 which can be utilized to close and/or open the anvil 2000 of the end effector 1300. The shaft assembly 1200 can include a spine 1210 that is configured to, one, slidably support a firing member therein and, two, slidably support the closure member assembly 3000 which extends around the spine 1210. As can be seen in
In the illustrated example, the surgical end effector 1300 is selectively articulatable about the articulation axis AA by an articulation system 2100. In one form, the articulation system 2100 includes proximal articulation driver 2102 that is pivotally coupled to an articulation link 2120. As can be most particularly seen in
In various circumstances, the spine 1210 can comprise a proximal end 1211 which is rotatably supported in a chassis 1240. In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end 1211 of the spine 1210 has a thread 1214 formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing 1216 configured to be supported within the chassis 1240. See
Referring primarily to
In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include an articulation joint 3020. Other interchangeable shaft assemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seen in
As was also indicated above, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 further includes a firing member 1900 that is supported for axial travel within the spine 1210. The firing member 1900 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 that is configured for attachment to a distal cutting portion or knife bar 1910. The intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 may include a longitudinal slot 1223 in the distal end thereof which can be configured to receive a tab 1912 on the proximal end of the distal knife bar 1910. The longitudinal slot 1223 and the proximal end tab 1912 can be sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint 1914. The slip joint 1914 can permit the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the firing member 1900 to be moved to articulate the end effector 1300 without moving, or at least substantially moving, the knife bar 1910. Once the end effector 1300 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 1223 comes into contact with the tab 1912 in order to advance the knife bar 1910 and fire the staple cartridge 1350 positioned within the frame 1310. The knife bar 1910 includes a knife portion 1920 that includes a blade or tissue cutting edge 1922 and includes an upper anvil engagement tab 1924 and lower frame engagement tabs 1926. Various firing member configurations and operations are disclosed in various other references incorporated herein by reference.
As can be seen in
As also illustrated in
As discussed above, the shaft assembly 1200 can include a proximal portion which is fixably mounted to the handle 1014 and a distal portion which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaft portion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slip ring assembly 1600, as discussed above. The distal connector flange of the slip ring assembly 1600 can be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum 1500 can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connector flange and the switch drum 1500 can be rotated synchronously with one another. In addition, the switch drum 1500 can be rotated between a first position and a second position relative to the distal connector flange. When the switch drum 1500 is in its first position, the articulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may not articulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When the switch drum 1500 is in its second position, the articulation drive system may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When the switch drum 1500 is moved between its first position and its second position, the switch drum 1500 is moved relative to distal connector flange. In various instances, the shaft assembly 1200 can comprise at least one sensor configured to detect the position of the switch drum 1500.
Referring again to
Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system 1710 for removably coupling the shaft assembly 1200 to the housing 1012 and more specifically to the frame 1020. As can be seen in
When employing an interchangeable shaft assembly that includes an end effector of the type described herein that is adapted to cut and fasten tissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable to prevent inadvertent detachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly from the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, in use the clinician may actuate the closure trigger 1032 to grasp and manipulate the target tissue into a desired position. Once the target tissue is positioned within the end effector 1300 in a desired orientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger 1032 to close the anvil 2000 and clamp the target tissue in position for cutting and stapling. In that instance, the first drive system 1030 has been fully actuated. After the target tissue has been clamped in the end effector 1300, it may be desirable to prevent the inadvertent detachment of the shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012. One form of the latch system 1710 is configured to prevent such inadvertent detachment.
As can be most particularly seen in
Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014 will now be described. To commence the coupling process, the clinician may position the chassis 1240 of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 above or adjacent to the distal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020 such that the tapered attachment portions 1244 formed on the chassis 1240 are aligned with the dovetail slots 1702 in the frame 1020. The clinician may then move the shaft assembly 1200 along an installation axis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat the attachment portions 1244 in “operable engagement” with the corresponding dovetail receiving slots 1702. In doing so, the shaft attachment lug 1226 on the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 will also be seated in the cradle 1126 in the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 and the portions of the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038 will be seated in the corresponding hooks 1252 in the closure shuttle 1250. As used herein, the term “operable engagement” in the context of two components means that the two components are sufficiently engaged with each other so that upon application of an actuation motion thereto, the components may carry out their intended action, function and/or procedure.
At least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can be operably coupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle 1014. A first system can comprise a frame system which couples and/or aligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly 1200 with the frame 1020 of the handle 1014. Another system can comprise a closure drive system 1030 which can operably connect the closure trigger 1032 of the handle 1014 and the closure tube 3050 and the anvil 2000 of the shaft assembly 1200. As outlined above, the closure shuttle 1250 of the shaft assembly 1200 can be engaged with the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038. Another system can comprise the firing drive system 1080 which can operably connect the firing trigger 1130 of the handle 1014 with the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the shaft assembly 1200. As outlined above, the shaft attachment lug 1226 can be operably connected with the cradle 1126 of the longitudinal drive member 1120. Another system can comprise an electrical system which can signal to a controller in the handle 1014, such as microcontroller, for example, that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, has been operably engaged with the handle 1014 and/or, two, conduct power and/or communication signals between the shaft assembly 1200 and the handle 1014. For instance, the shaft assembly 1200 can include an electrical connector 1810 that is operably mounted to the shaft circuit board 1610. The electrical connector 1810 is configured for mating engagement with a corresponding electrical connector 1800 on the control circuit board 1100. Further details regaining the circuitry and control systems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,142, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, the entire disclosures of each which were previously incorporated by reference herein. The fifth system may consist of the latching system for releasably locking the shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014.
The anvil 2000 in the illustrated example includes an anvil body 2002 that terminates in an anvil mounting portion 2010. The anvil mounting portion 2010 is movably or pivotably supported on the elongate frame 1310 for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed anvil pivot axis PA that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. In the illustrated arrangement, a pivot member or anvil trunnion 2012 extends laterally out of each lateral side of the anvil mounting portion 2010 to be received in a corresponding trunnion cradle 1316 formed in the upstanding walls 1315 of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongate frame 1310. The anvil trunnions 2012 are pivotally retained in their corresponding trunnion cradle 1316 by the frame cap or anvil retainer 1290. The frame cap or anvil retainer 1290 includes a pair of attachment lugs that are configured to be retainingly received within corresponding lug grooves or notches formed in the upstanding walls 1315 of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongate frame 1310. See
Still referring to
The disclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232200, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232199, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232197, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232195, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, filed on May 20, 3003, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0085123, entitled ARTICULATING SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A TWO-PIECE E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, filed on Aug. 17, 2017 are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Referring to
Still referring to
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 4002 comprises a second jaw or anvil 4100 that is movable relative to the first jaw or frame 4010. The anvil 4100 comprises an anvil body 4102 and an anvil mounting portion 4110. The anvil body 4102 comprises a staple forming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 4104 that has a series of staple forming pockets formed therein (not shown) that are arranged to form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contact therewith. The anvil mounting portion 4110 comprises a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnion pins 4112 that are configured to be received in corresponding trunnion slots 4022 in the upstanding sidewalls 4020 of the first jaw 4010. In the illustrated arrangement, the trunnion slots 4022 are somewhat “kidney-shaped” and facilitate pivotal as well as axial travel of the corresponding trunnion pins 4112 therein. Such pivotal and axial movement of the anvil 4100 may be referred to as “translation” of the anvil during an anvil closure sequence.
As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which have been incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 4100 may be movable from an open position wherein a used or spent surgical staple cartridge may either be removed from the first jaw or frame 4010 or an unfired surgical staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position. The anvil 4100 may be movable between the open and closed positions by an axially movable closure member which may comprise an end effector closure tube (not shown) that is part of the shaft assembly of the surgical instrument to which the surgical device 4002 is operably attached. For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximal position by actuating a closure control system in the surgical instrument, the closure member may operably engage a cam surface on the anvil mounting portion 4110. Such interaction between the closure member and the anvil mounting portion 4110 causes the anvil mounting portion 4110 and the anvil trunnion pins 4112 to pivot and translate up the trunnion slots 4022 until the closure member moves the anvil 4100 to a fully closed position. When in the fully closed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 4100 are properly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible surgical staple cartridge that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 4010. When the axially movable closure member is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, the closure member interfaces with an upstanding tab 4114 on the anvil mounting portion 4110 to return the anvil 4100 to the open position.
One form of surgical staple cartridge 4200 that may be compatible with the surgical stapling device 4002 comprises a cartridge body 4202 that defines a cartridge deck surface or tissue contacting surface 4204. The cartridge body 4202 further comprises a longitudinal slot 4206 that bisects the cartridge deck surface 4204 and is configured to accommodate axial passage of the firing member 4050 therein between its starting position and an ending position within the cartridge body 4202 during a staple firing stroke. The longitudinal slot 4206 lies along a center axis CA of the cartridge 4200. The surgical staple cartridge 4200 further comprises a series of staple pockets 4208 that are formed in the cartridge body 4202. The staple pockets 4208 may be formed in offset “lines” located on each side of the longitudinal slot 4206. Each staple pocket 4208 may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 4202 is molded from a polymer material with the staple pockets 4208 molded or machined therein. In one arrangement, the staple pockets 4208 also open through a bottom of the cartridge body 4202 to facilitate installation of the drivers and fasteners into their respective staple pockets 4208. Once the drivers and fasteners are inserted into their respective staple pockets 4208, a cartridge pan 4220 is attached to the cartridge body 4202. In one form, the cartridge pan 4220 is fabricated from a metal material and includes a bottom 4222 that spans across the bottom of the cartridge body 4202. The cartridge pan 4220 also includes two upstanding sidewalls 4224 that correspond to each side of the cartridge body 4202. The cartridge pan 4220 may be removably affixed to the cartridge body 4202 by hooks 4226 that are formed on the sidewalls 4224 and configured to hookingly engage corresponding portions of the cartridge body 4202. In addition, the cartridge body 4202 may also have lugs or attachment formations protruding therefrom that are configured to retainingly engage corresponding portions of the cartridge pan 4220. When installed, the cartridge pan 4220 may, among other things, prevent the drivers and fasteners from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 4202 during handling and installation of the staple cartridge into the first jaw or frame 4010.
Some of the staple drivers operably support a single surgical staple thereon and other staple drivers support more than one surgical staple thereon depending upon the particular cartridge design. Each surgical staple comprises a staple crown and two upstanding staple legs. The staple crown is typically supported on a cradle arrangement formed in a corresponding staple driver such that the legs are vertically oriented toward the anvil when the cartridge is operably seated in the frame 4010. In some arrangements, surgical staples have a somewhat V-shape, wherein the ends of the legs flare slightly outward. Such arrangement may serve to retain the staple in its corresponding staple pocket due to frictional engagement between the legs and the sides of the staple pocket should the cartridge be inadvertently inverted or turned upside down during use. Other surgical staples are roughly U-shaped (the ends of the legs do not flare outward) and may be more susceptible to falling out of the staple pocket should the cartridge be inverted prior to use.
The surgical staple cartridge 4200 further comprises a sled or camming member 4230 that is configured to be axially advanced through the cartridge body 4202 during a staple firing stroke. In a “new”, “fresh” or “unfired” surgical staple cartridge, the sled 4230 is in its proximal-most, “unfired” position. The sled 4230 comprises a plurality of wedges or cam members 4232 that are configured to drivingly engage the corresponding lines of staple drivers in the cartridge body. During the staple firing stroke, the firing member 4050 abuts and pushes the sled 4230 distally into camming contact with the staple drivers thereby sequentially driving the staple drivers upward toward the anvil 4100 as the sled 4230 is driven from its unfired position to its distal-most fully fired position within the cartridge body 4202. As the staple drivers are driven upwardly, the staples are driven through the tissue that is clamped between the deck surface 4204 of the staple cartridge 4200 and the anvil 4100 and into forming contact with the staple-forming undersurface 4104 of the anvil 4100. The tissue-cutting knife 4053 on the firing member 4050 cuts through the stapled tissue as the firing member 4050 is driven distally. After the staple firing stroke has been completed, and/or after a sufficient length of the staple firing stroke has been completed, the firing member 4050 is retracted proximally. However, the sled 4230 is not retracted proximally with the firing member 4050. Instead, the sled 4230 is left behind at the distal-most position in which it was pushed by the firing member 4050.
After a staple cartridge has been fired, or at least partially fired, it is removed from the frame and then replaced with another replaceable staple cartridge, if desired. At such point, the stapling device can be re-used to continue stapling and incising the patient tissue. In some instances, however, a previously-fired staple cartridge can be accidentally loaded into the frame. If the firing member were to be advanced distally within such a previously-fired staple cartridge, the stapling instrument would cut the patient tissue without stapling it. The stapling instrument would similarly cut the patient tissue without stapling it if the firing member were advanced distally through a staple firing stroke without a staple cartridge positioned in the cartridge jaw at all. In addition, various surgical staple cartridges may have different arrays of and/or orientations of staples/fasteners therein. The sizes of the staples or fasteners, as well as the number of fasteners may vary from cartridge type to cartridge type depending upon a particular surgical procedure or application. To ensure that the staples are properly crimped or formed, the surgical staple cartridges must be used in connection with corresponding, compatible anvils that have the proper array of staple-forming pockets therein as well as the proper cutting and firing components. Should a “non-compatible” cartridge be loaded into a surgical stapling device that has an anvil that is mismatched to the staple cartridge, the staples may not be properly formed during the firing process which could lead to catastrophic results. To this end, the surgical stapling assembly 4000 comprises one or more lockouts which prevents this from happening, as discussed in greater detail below.
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 4002 comprises a first lockout 4300 that is configured to prevent the firing member 4050 from moving distally from its proximal-most, starting position unless an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is operably seated in the first jaw or frame 4010. The first lockout 4300 may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the first lockout 4300 comprises a single, bi-lateral first lockout spring 4310 that is supported in the proximal end 4014 of the frame 4010 and attached to the shaft mount flange 4030. In one arrangement for example, the first lockout spring 4310 comprises a first lockout arm 4312 that is located on one side of the cartridge axis CA and a second lockout arm 4314 that is located on an opposite side of the cartridge axis CA. The first and second lockout arms 4312, 4314 are attached to a central body portion 4316. See
Turning now to
In one arrangement, the retainer 4400 may be molded from a polymer material and include a plurality of retainer lugs 4410 that are configured to latchingly engage outwardly extending deck ledge portions 4205 that are formed on the cartridge body 4202. The retainer 4400 may further comprise an angled nose portion 4420 and distal latch tab 4422 that that is configured to latching engage a distal nose 4203 of the cartridge body 4202. The retainer 4400 may be removably coupled to the surgical staple cartridge 4200 by engaging the distal latch tab 4422 with an end of the distal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 4400 such that the underside of the top portion 4402 confronts the cartridge deck surface 4204 and the retainer lugs 4410 are located above the deck ledge portions 4205 on each side of the cartridge body 4202. Thereafter, the retainer 4400 may be pressed toward the staple cartridge 4200 causing the retainer lugs 4410 to flex laterally outward and snap into latching engagement with the corresponding deck ledge portions 4205. Other retainer latching arrangements disclosed herein may also be employed to removably affix the retainer 4400 to the staple cartridge 4200. The retainer 4400 may be removed from the staple cartridge 4200 by applying a prying motion to the distal latch tab 4422 until the retainer lugs 4410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205. In the illustrated example, the term “LIFT” is molded, embossed, imprinted or otherwise provided on the nose portion 4420 to provide removal instructions to the user.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The user may then remove the retainer 4400 from the staple cartridge 4200 by prying the up the distal latch tab 4422 and lifting the retainer 4400 upward until the retainer lugs 4410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205 on the cartridge body 4202. With the first lockout 4300 defeated or unlocked, the firing member 4050 may be distally advanced from the starting position and is in a “ready state”. After the staple cartridge 4200 has been fired, the firing member 4050 is retracted back to the starting position and the second jaw or anvil 4100 is pivoted back to the open position. The spent staple cartridge may then be removed from the first jaw or frame 4010. Once the spent staple cartridge 4200 has been removed from the first jaw or frame 4010, the first and second lockout arms 4312, 4314 spring back into engagement with the corresponding central pins 4058 on the firing member 4050 to once again retain the firing member 4050 in the starting position.
Other first lockout spring arrangements are contemplated. For example, a first lockout spring may only comprise one lateral lockout arm and engage only one side of the firing member. In such arrangements, an authentication key comprising only one ramp may be needed to unlock the lockout arm.
As discussed above, when the cartridge assembly 4500 is operably seated in the frame 4010, the first lockout 4300 is defeated or unlocked to permit the firing member 4050 to be distally advanced from that ready state during a staple firing stroke. When attached to the staple cartridge 4200, the retainer 4400 covers the cartridge deck surface 4204 and prevents staples from falling out of the staple pockets 4208 as well as prevents any debris or contamination from entering the longitudinal slot 4206 or staple pockets 4208 which could damage the staple cartridge or prevent it from operating properly. Other variations of the retainer 4400 are contemplated wherein only a portion of the cartridge deck surface 4204 is covered by the retainer. Other configurations may not cover any of staple pockets and/or any of the deck surface.
As was also discussed above, after a staple cartridge has been fired, or at least partially fired, it is removed from the first jaw or frame and then replaced with another compatible staple cartridge, if desired. At such point, the stapling device can be re-used to continue stapling and incising the patient tissue. In some instances, however, a previously-fired staple cartridge can be accidentally loaded into the frame. If the firing member were to be advanced distally within such a previously-fired staple cartridge (sometimes referred to herein as a “spent” cartridge), the stapling instrument would cut the patient tissue without stapling it. This could conceivably happen even if the retainer 4400 were inadvertently accidentally attached to the spent cartridge and the resulting cartridge assembly is then seated into the frame so as to defeat the first lockout. The surgical stapling device would similarly cut the patient tissue without stapling it if the firing member were advanced distally through a staple firing stroke without a staple cartridge positioned in the cartridge jaw at all. To prevent these occurrences from happening, the surgical stapling device 4002 further comprises a second lockout 4600 that is configured to prevent the firing member 4050 from distally advancing through the staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw or frame 4010.
Referring now to
As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the first lockout 5300 is proximal to the second lockout 4600. The first lockout 5300 is positioned within the surgical stapling device 4002 such that the first lockout 5300 is proximal to the sled 4230 of an unfired staple cartridge 4200 that has been seated in the first jaw or frame 4010. The first lockout 5300 is configured to move laterally between engaged positions wherein the first lock prevents distal advancement of the firing member 4050 from a starting position and disengaged positions wherein the firing member 4050 may be distally advanced therefrom (sometimes referred to herein as a “ready state”). For example, the first and second lockout arms 4312 and 4314 are configured to move in a first horizontal plane FP between engaged and disengaged positions. See
Still referring to
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 5002 further comprises a second jaw or anvil 5100 that is movable relative to the first jaw or frame 5010. The anvil 5100 comprises an anvil body 5102 and an anvil mounting portion 5110. The anvil body 5102 comprises a staple forming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 5104 that has a series of staple forming pockets (not shown) formed therein that are arranged to form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contact therewith. The anvil mounting portion 5110 comprises a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnion pins 5112 that are configured to be received in corresponding trunnion holes 5022 provided in the upstanding sidewalls 5020 of the first jaw or frame 5010. Unlike the anvil 4100 described above, the anvil 5100 is pivotally pinned to the frame 5010 for pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed pivot axis. Stated another way, unlike anvil 4100, anvil 5100 does not materially move axially or translate during the anvil closure process. In various arrangements, the trunnion holes 5022 may be sized relative to the trunnion pins 5112 to facilitate installation therein and free pivotal travel of the trunnion pins such that the trunnion pins may have some slight axial movement therein, but any of such axial motion is much less than the axial translation of the anvil 4100.
As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which have been incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 5100 may be movable from an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge may either be removed from the first jaw or frame 5010 or an unfired staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by an axially movable closure member or end effector closure tube (not shown). For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximal position, the closure tube may operably engage a cam surface on the anvil mounting portion 5110. Such interaction between the closure member and the anvil mounting portion 5110 causes the anvil mounting portion 5110 and the anvil trunnion pins 5112 to pivot until the closure member moves the anvil 5100 to a fully closed position. When in the fully closed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 5100 are properly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible surgical staple cartridge that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 5010. When the axially movable closure member is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, the closure member causes the anvil 5100 to pivot back to the open position.
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 5002 comprises a first lockout 5300 that is configured to prevent the firing member 5050 from moving distally from its proximal-most, starting position when an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is not operably seated in the frame 5010. The first lockout 5300 may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the first lockout 5300 comprises a single, a pivotal first spring assembly 5310 that is supported in a proximal end 5014 of the first jaw or frame 5010 and is attached to the shaft mount flange 5030. In one arrangement for example, the first spring assembly 5310 comprises a first lockout arm 5312 and a second lockout arm 5314 that are attached to a central body portion 5316. The first spring assembly 5310 is attached to the shaft mount flange 5030 by a pin 5034 that extends through holes 5036 in the shaft mount flange 5030 and through holes 5318 in the first lockout arm 5312 and the second lockout arm 5314. The first lockout arm 5312 and the second lockout arm 5314 each further comprise a lockout latch feature 5320. Each lockout latch feature 5320 is adapted to releasably capture therein a corresponding central pin 5058 on the firing member 5050 when the firing member 5050 is in its proximal-most or starting position. See
The surgical stapling assembly 5000 may further comprise a retainer 5400 that is similar to retainer 4400 described above. The retainer 5400 comprises a top portion 5402 that is coextensive with and configured to be received on the deck surface 4204 of the staple cartridge 4200 such that when the retainer 5400 is attached to the cartridge body 4202, the retainer 5400 covers all of the staple pockets 4208 in the cartridge body 4202. Thus, when the retainer 5400 is attached to the staple cartridge 4200, the retainer 5400 may prevent the surgical staples stored within the staple pockets 4208 from falling out should the surgical staple cartridge 4200 be inverted or turned upside down prior to use. Other retainer configurations are contemplated wherein the retainer top does not cover all or any of the staple pockets. In the illustrated arrangement, the retainer 5400 may be molded from a polymer material and include a plurality of retainer lugs 5410 that are configured to latchingly engage outwardly extending deck ledge portions 4205 on the staple cartridge body 4202. The retainer 5400 may further comprise an angled nose portion 5420 and a distal latch tab 5422 that that is configured to latchingly engage the distal nose 4203 of the cartridge body 4202. The retainer 5400 may be removably coupled to the staple cartridge 4200 by engaging the distal latch tab 5422 with the end of the staple cartridge distal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 5400 such that the underside of the top portion 5402 confronts the cartridge deck surface 4204 and the retainer lugs 5410 are located above the deck ledge portions 4205 on each side of the staple cartridge body 4202. Thereafter, the retainer 5400 may be pressed toward the staple cartridge 4200 causing the retainer lugs 5410 to flex laterally outward and snap into latching engagement with the corresponding deck ledge portions 4205. Other retainer latching arrangements disclosed herein may also be employed to removably affix the retainer 5400 to the staple cartridge 4200.
The retainer 5400 further comprises an authentication key 5430 that is adapted to engage key pockets 5322 that are formed in the first lockout arm 5312 and the second lockout arm 5314. As can be seen in
In use, the retainer 5400 is removably attached to the staple cartridge 4200 to form a cartridge assembly 5500. Thereafter, the cartridge assembly is initially inserted into the first jaw or frame 5010 so as to insert the ramps 5440 and 5450 of the authentication key 5430 into the key pockets 5322 in the first and second lockout arms 5312, 5314. See
The surgical stapling device 5002 also includes a second lockout 5600 that is very similar to the second lockout 4600 described above. Referring now to
Referring to
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 6002 comprises a second jaw or anvil 6100 that is movable relative to the first jaw or frame 6010. The anvil 6100 is similar to anvil 4100 described above and comprises an anvil body 6102 and an anvil mounting portion 6110. The anvil body 6102 comprises a staple forming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 6104 that has a series of staple forming pockets (not shown) formed therein that are arranged to form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contact therewith. The anvil mounting portion 6110 comprises a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnion assemblies 6112. Each trunnion assembly 6112 comprises an outwardly and downwardly protruding lock lug portion 6120 that has a trunnion pin 6122 extending therefrom. Each trunnion pin 6122 is configured to be received in corresponding trunnion slots 6022 in the upstanding sidewalls 6020 of the first jaw 6010. In the illustrated arrangement, the trunnion slots 6022 are somewhat “kidney-shaped” and facilitate pivotal as well as axial travel of the corresponding trunnion pins 6122 therein.
As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which have been incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 6100 may be movable from an open position wherein a used or spent surgical staple cartridge may either be removed from the frame 6010 or a fresh, new staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by an axially movable closure member or end effector closure tube (not shown). For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximal position, the closure member may operably engage a cam surface on the anvil mounting portion 6110. Such interaction between the closure member and the anvil mounting portion 6110 causes the anvil mounting portion 6110 and the anvil trunnion pins 6122 to pivot and translate up the trunnion slots 6022 until the closure member moves the anvil 6100 to a closed position. When in the fully closed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 6100 are properly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible staple cartridge that has been operably seated in the frame 6010. When the axially movable closure member is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, the closure member interfaces with an upstanding tab 6114 on the anvil mounting portion 6110 to return the anvil 6100 to the open position.
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 6002 comprises a first lockout 6300 that is configured to prevent the second jaw or anvil 6100 from being movable from the open position to the closed position by the closure member. The first lockout 6300 may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the first lockout 6300 comprises a first lockout arm 6310 that is pivotally supported in the frame 6010 by a lockout pin 6312 that is attached thereto. In one example, the first lockout arm 6310 is fabricated from stainless steel or the like and the lockout pin 6312 is welded or otherwise attached thereto. The lockout pin 6312 is pivotally seated in a pivot hole 6013 in the frame 6010 to facilitate pivotal travel of the first lockout arm 6310 between a locked position and an unlocked position. See
Still referring to
Turning now to
Referring now to
As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the space required to interface with the first lockout 6300 is available when the anvil 6100 is open, but is not available when the anvil 6100 is closed. The retainer 6400 is present on the cartridge 4200 only when the anvil 6100 is open during the cartridge insertion process. Thereafter, the retainer 6400 is removed from the staple cartridge 4200. The anvil 6100 cannot be closed when the retainer 6400 is in place. When closed, the anvil 6100 occupies the space that was occupied by the retainer 6400. This arrangement is very different from a cartridge-based authentication key arrangement that remains resident in the stapling device during the closing and firing of the device. Dual sequential ramps/camming surfaces are employed in this arrangement to move the first lockout arm 6310 laterally through a distance that is approximately at least twice as wide as the authentication key 6430. This may be an important aspect to this design.
The proximal high ramp or camming surface begins the unlocking movement and engages the upstaging actuator cam arm 6322 that is distal to the firing member 4050. It will be appreciated that a stationary locking feature that is unable to be moved or removed would not be able to reach this area without affecting the ability to move the firing member 4050 through the staple firing stroke. The second lower ramp/camming surface completes the unlocking movement of the first unlocking arm 6310 so that it is completely clear for the anvil 6100 to close. The second ramp/camming surface is sequentially spaced behind the first ramp/camming surface so that it can only engage the distal end of the first lockout arm 6310 after the first ramp/camming surface has pivoted it to that intermediate position.
After the staple cartridge 4200′ has been fired, the user returns a firing member of the surgical stapling device 6002′ back to a starting position and the anvil 6100′ is pivoted to the open position allowing the spent staple cartridge to be removed from the frame 6010′. When the spent staple cartridge 4200′ is removed from the frame 6010′, the lockout spring 6330′ pivots the first lockout arm 6310′ back to the jaw locking position. In some instances, the spent staple cartridge may be “reprocessed” for reuse in another stapling procedure and/or another stapling device. It is important for those reprocessing entities to install the proper surgical staples as well as the proper number of surgical staples into the reprocessed staple cartridge required to make that cartridge compatible with a particular stapling device to ensure the desired results during use. Unfortunately, some reprocessing entities at times fail to properly reprocess the spent cartridge, yet still offer the reprocessed spent cartridge as a new cartridge manufactured by the original manufacturer. The end user may unwittingly obtain the defective cartridge and use it in a surgical stapling device. In an effort to prevent such instances from occurring, once the spent cartridge has been removed from the surgical stapling device 6002′, the authentication key 4228″ may be irretrievably flattened. For example, as can be seen in
In many aspects, surgical stapling device 6002″ is substantially identical to surgical stapling device 6002 and includes a first lockout arm 6310″ that is pivotally supported in a frame 6010″ by a lockout pin 6312″ that is attached thereto. A proximal end 6314″ of the first lockout arm 6310″ may be identical to the proximal end 6314 of the first lockout arm 6310 and is configured to blockingly engage a lock lug portion on the corresponding trunnion assembly 6112″ of an anvil 6100″ in the manner described in detail above. A lockout spring 6330″ serves to pivot the first lockout arm 6310″ to the locked or jaw locking position in the manner described above. A distal end of the first lockout arm 6310″ comprises an upstanding actuator cam arm 6322″ that is configured to be engaged by the authentication key 4228′ on the staple cartridge 4200′″.
Still referring to
As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which have been incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 7100 may be movable from an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge may either be removed from the first jaw or frame 7010 or an unfired staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by an axially movable closure member or end effector closure tube 7600. For example, as the closure tube 7600 is moved distally from a proximal position, the closure tube 7600 may operably engage a cam surface 7113 on the anvil mounting portion 7110. Such interaction between the closure tube 7600 and the anvil mounting portion 7110 causes the anvil mounting portion 7110 and the trunnion pins 7112 to pivot until the closure member moves the anvil 7100 to a fully closed position. When in the fully closed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 7100 are properly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible staple cartridge 4200 that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 7010. When the axially movable closure tube 7600 is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, a tab 7602 on the closure tube 7600 interfaces with a tab 7114 on the anvil mounting portion 7110 to cause the anvil 7100 to pivot back to the open position.
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 7002 comprises a first lockout 7300 that is configured to prevent the second jaw or anvil 7100 from being movable from the open position to the closed position by the closure member 7600. The first lockout 7300 may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the first lockout 7300 comprises a first lockout arm 7310 that is pivotally supported in the first jaw or frame 7010 by a lockout pin 7312 that is attached thereto. In one example, the first lockout arm 7310 is fabricated from stainless steel or the like and the lockout pin 7312 may be machined into the proximal end thereof. The lockout pin 7312 is pivotally seated in a pivot hole 7013 in the frame 7010 to facilitate pivotal travel of the first lockout arm 7310 in a locking direction LD between a jaw locking position and a jaw closure position. See
Referring now to
Turning again to
The retainer 7400 may be removably coupled to the surgical staple cartridge 4200 by engaging the distal latch tab 7422 with the end of the distal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 7400 such that the underside of the top portion 7402 confronts the cartridge deck surface 4204 and the retainer lugs 7410 are located above the deck ledge portions 4205 on each side of the cartridge body 4202. Thereafter, the retainer 7400 may be pressed toward the staple cartridge 4200 causing the retainer lugs 7410 to flex laterally outward and snap into latching engagement with the corresponding deck ledge portions 4205. Other retainer latching arrangements disclosed herein may also be employed to removably affix the retainer 7400 to the staple cartridge 4200. The retainer 7400 may be removed from the staple cartridge 4200 by applying a prying motion to the distal latch tab 7422 and lifting upward until the retainer lugs 7410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205. In the illustrated example, the term “LIFT” is molded or embossed into the nose portion 7420 to provide removal instructions to the user.
Referring now to
In use, the retainer 7400 is attached to the staple cartridge 4200 in the various manners disclosed herein to form a cartridge assembly 7500. The cartridge assembly 7500 may then be inserted into the first jaw or frame 7010 so as to bring the right ramp 7440 of the authentication key 7430 into engagement with the actuator cam surface 7324 on the actuator cam arm 7322. During the initial proximal insertion of the cartridge assembly 7500, the first right cam surface 7444 biases the actuator cam arm 7322 laterally outward to an intermediate position. Further longitudinal advancement of the cartridge assembly 7500 into the first jaw or frame 7010 in a proximal direction causes the first cam surface 7444 to disengage the actuator cam surface 7324 and the second right cam surface 7446 to engage the actuator cam surface 7324 to move the first lockout arm 7310 from the intermediate position into the fully disengaged or jaw closure position. When the first lockout arm 7310 is in the unlocked or jaw closure position, the retention tab 7326 is received within the tab window 7024 in the frame sidewall 7020 and is retained therein by the staple cartridge 4200. When in that position, the first lockout 7300 is in the unlocked or jaw closure position or stated another way is “defeated”, unlocked or unlatched. The user may then remove the retainer 7400 from the surgical staple cartridge 4200 by prying the up the distal latch tab 7422 and lifting the retainer 7400 upward until the retainer lugs 7410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205. The anvil 7100 is now movable between the open and closed position and the surgical staple cartridge 4200 is otherwise capable of being fired. In at least one version, the surgical stapling device 7002 may include a second lockout 4600 that is configured to prevent the firing member 4050 from distally advancing through the staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw or frame 7010 in the various manners discussed above. After the staple cartridge 4200 has been fired, the firing member 4050 is retracted back to the starting position and the second jaw or anvil 7100 is pivoted back to the open position. The spent staple cartridge may then be removed from the first jaw or frame 7010. Once the spent staple cartridge 4200 has been removed from the first jaw or frame 7010, the first lockout spring biases the first lockout arm 7310 back to an engaged or jaw locking position wherein second jaw or anvil is prevented from moving from the open to closed position.
As can be seen in
Referring to
Still referring to
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 8002 further comprises a second jaw or anvil 8100 that is movable relative to the first jaw or frame 8010. The anvil 8100 comprises an anvil body 8102 and an anvil mounting portion 8110. The anvil body 8102 comprises a staple forming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 8104 that has a series of staple forming pockets (not shown) formed therein that are arranged to form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contact therewith. The anvil mounting portion 8110 comprises a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnion pins 8112 that are configured to be received in corresponding trunnion holes 8022 in the upstanding sidewalls 8020 of the first jaw or frame 8010. Unlike the anvil 4100 described above, the anvil 8100 is pivotally pinned to the frame 8010 for pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed pivot axis. Stated another way, unlike anvil 4100, anvil 8100 does not materially move axially or translate during the anvil closure process.
As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which have been incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 8100 may be movable from an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge may either be removed from the first jaw or frame 8010 or an unfired staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by an axially movable closure member or end effector closure tube (not shown). For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximal position, the closure tube may operably engage a cam surface on the anvil mounting portion 8110. Such interaction between the closure member and the anvil mounting portion 8110 causes the anvil mounting portion 8110 and the trunnion pins 8112 to pivot until the closure member moves the anvil 8100 to a fully closed position. When in the fully closed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 8100 are properly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible surgical staple cartridge that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 8010. When the axially movable closure member is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, the closure member causes the anvil 8100 to pivot back to the open position.
Further to the above, the surgical stapling assembly 8000 further comprises a first lockout 8300 that is configured to prevent the firing member 5050 from moving distally from its proximal-most starting position when an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is not operably seated in the first jaw or frame 8010. The first lockout 8300 may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the first lockout 8300 comprises a single, bi-lateral first spring 8310 that is supported in the proximal end 8014 of the frame 8010 and attached to the shaft mount flange 8030. In one arrangement for example, the first spring 8310 comprises a first lockout arm 8312 that is located on one side of the cartridge axis CA and a second lockout arm 8314 that is located on an opposite side of the cartridge axis CA from the first lockout arm 8312. The first and second lockout arms 8312, 8314 are attached to a central body portion 8316. See
Turning now to
Referring now to
When the cartridge assembly 4500 has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 5010, a distal first retention tab 8326 on the first lockout arm 8312 engages a corresponding side of the staple cartridge 4200 to retain the first lockout arm 8312 in that unlocked position. As can be seen in
After the staple cartridge 4200 has been fired, the firing member 5050 is retracted back to the starting position and the second jaw or anvil 8100 is pivoted back to the open position. The spent staple cartridge may then be removed from the first jaw or frame 8010. Once the spent staple cartridge 4200 has been removed from the first jaw or frame 8010, the first and second lockout arms 8312, 8314 spring back into engagement with the corresponding central pins 5058 on the firing member 5050 to once again retain the firing member 5050 in the starting position. Also, in at least one version, the surgical stapling device 8002 also includes a second lockout 5600 that is configured to prevent the firing member 5050 from distally advancing through the staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw or frame 8010. Details concerning the operation of the second lockout were provided above and will not be repeated here.
Further to the above, at least one form of the retainer 4400 may be attached to various staple cartridges that are adapted to be used with (compatible with) different forms of surgical stapling devices. Stated another way, the retainer 4400 may be used on staple cartridges that can be seated in different stapling devices to defeat the various lockout mechanisms of those stapling devices. Staple cartridge 8200 may similarly be used with different stapling devices that have different forms of lockouts. For example,
In connection with another general aspect, the various authentication keys and authentication ramps disclosed herein may be mixed and matched with retainer body configurations disclosed herein such that one retainer/authentication key/ramp configuration may be employed with staple cartridges that can be used in a plurality of stapling devices disclosed herein. Such retainer authentication key/ramp configurations may be used to defeat a plurality of the lockout systems in those various stapling devices. Stated another way, one retainer/authentication key/authentication ramp configuration may be employed to unlock the jaw blocking lockouts and/or the firing member lockouts on several of the stapling devices disclosed herein.
As discussed herein, the authentication key arrangement may be provided on a detachable retainer, on the cartridge pan, on the cartridge body, on the sled or on another ancillary attached part. These authentication keys may be fashioned such that they could defeat the various first lockout systems of those surgical stapling devices disclosed herein that employ a translating jaw arrangement as well as the first lockout systems of those surgical stapling devices that employ a jaw arrangement that is pivotable about a fixed pivot axis. The design of such “universal” authentication keys may be limited and dictated by the amount of available space in such devices when the movable jaw or anvil is in the closed position (for those keys designed to be resident in the device throughout the stapling firing operation) as well as in the open position.
When designing authentication key configurations that may be employed to defeat lockouts in surgical stapling devices that employ a translating jaw as well lockouts in surgical stapling devices that employ a movable jaw that pivots about a fixed axis, the amount of available space that is available in each surgical stapling device will necessarily dictate a particular shape of a “universal” authentication key. Because the jaw shapes and travel paths are different in these types of surgical stapling devices, the amount of available space for the authentication keys when the jaws are open and closed differ.
Still referring to
As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which have been incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 9100 may be movable from an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge may either be removed from the first jaw or frame 9010 or an unfired staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by an axially movable closure member or end effector closure tube 9600 (
Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 9002 comprises a first lockout 9300 that is configured to prevent the second jaw or anvil 9100 from being movable from the open position to the closed position by the closure tube 9600. The first lockout 9300 may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the first lockout 9300 comprises a first lockout arm 9310 that is pivotally supported in the first jaw or frame 9010 by a lockout pin 9312 that is attached thereto. See
Referring now to
In at least one example, the stapling assembly 9000 comprises a staple cartridge 9200 that is identical to staple cartridge 4200 described above except that an authentication key 9430 is formed into a cartridge pan 9220. See
The surgical stapling device 9002 may further comprise a second lockout similar to second lockout 4600 for preventing the firing member 4050 from advancing through the firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw of frame 9010. The second lockout 4600 was described in detail above and will not be repeated here.
Still referring to
Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following examples.
Example 1—A surgical stapling assembly configured to receive a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot, a deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets opening through the deck surface, a staple removably stored within each staple pocket, and a sled configured to fire the staples from the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling assembly comprises a surgical stapling device comprising a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position within the longitudinal slot during the staple firing stroke. The firing member is configured to push the sled to fire the staples during the staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling assembly further comprises a first lockout and a second lockout. The first lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from moving distally from the starting position when the staple cartridge is not seated in the surgical stapling device. The first lockout comprises at least one lockout arm configured to releasably retain the firing member in the starting position. The second lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from advancing through the staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in the surgical stapling device. The surgical stapling assembly further comprises a retainer removably mounted to the cartridge body. The retainer is supported on the deck surface when the retainer is attached to the cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat the first lockout by moving the lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the firing member to permit the firing member to be advanced distally from the starting position when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device and the retainer is removed from the cartridge body.
Example 2—The surgical stapling assembly of Example 1, wherein the retainer covers the staple pockets defined in the deck surface when the retainer is attached to the cartridge body, and wherein the staple pockets are exposed when the retainer is removed from the cartridge body.
Example 3—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the authentication key is positioned on only one lateral side of the longitudinal slot.
Example 4—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, or 3, wherein the first lockout is proximal to the second lockout.
Example 5—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the authentication key is proximal to the cartridge body when the retainer is removably mounted to the cartridge body.
Example 6—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the at least one lockout arm comprises a first lockout arm and a second lockout arm. The first lockout arm is configured to releasably engage a first lateral side of the firing member. The second lockout arm is configured to releasably engage a second lateral side of the firing member.
Example 7—The surgical stapling assembly of Example 6, wherein the authentication key is configured to move the first lockout arm out of engagement with the first lateral side of the firing member and the second lockout arm out of engagement with the second lateral side of the firing member when the retainer is removably mounted to the cartridge body to form the cartridge assembly and the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device.
Example 8—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the second lockout comprises an abutment portion on one of the first and second jaws configured to be contacted by the firing member when the spent staple cartridge is seated in the surgical stapling device.
Example 9—The surgical stapling assembly of Example 8, wherein the firing member is movable between an unlocked position where the firing member is distally movable from the starting position to the ending position during the staple firing stroke and a locked position where the abutment portion prevents the firing member from moving distally.
Example 10—The surgical stapling assembly of Example 9, wherein the sled in the staple cartridge is configured to move the firing member from the locked position to the unlocked position when the sled is in an unfired position within the staple cartridge and the staple cartridge is seated in the surgical stapling device.
Example 11—The surgical stapling assembly of Example 10, wherein the at least one lockout arm is configured to move in a first plane between an engaged position where the at least one lockout arm releasably retains the firing member in the starting position and a disengaged position where the at least one lockout arm is moved out of retaining engagement with the firing member to permit the firing member to be advanced distally from the starting position, wherein the firing member is movable in a second plane between the locked position and the unlocked position, and wherein the first plane is orthogonal relative to the second plane.
Example 12—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 10 or 11, wherein the first lockout is proximal to the sled of the staple cartridge seated in the surgical stapling device when the sled is in the unfired position.
Example 13—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 6 or 7, wherein the first lockout arm is configured to releasably engage a first pin protruding from the first lateral side of the firing member, and wherein the second lockout arm is configured to releasably engage a second pin protruding from the second lateral side of the firing member.
Example 14—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the first jaw comprises a frame configured to receive the staple cartridge, and wherein the first lockout is supported within the frame.
Example 15—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, wherein the cartridge body comprises a proximal end, and wherein the authentication key defeats the first lockout by moving the at least one lockout arm from engagement with the firing member to engagement with the proximal end of the cartridge body.
Example 16—A surgical stapling assembly configured to receive a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot, a deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets opening through the deck surface, a staple removably stored within each staple pocket, and a sled configured to fire the staples from the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling assembly comprises a surgical stapling device comprising a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position within the longitudinal slot during the staple firing stroke. The firing member is configured to push the sled to fire the staples during the staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling assembly further comprise a first lockout and a second lockout. The first lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from moving distally from the starting position when the staple cartridge is not seated in the surgical stapling assembly. The first lockout comprises a lockout arm configured to releasably retain the firing member in the starting position. The second lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from advancing through the staple firing stroke unless the sled in a staple cartridge that is seated in the surgical stapling device is in an unfired position. The surgical stapling assembly further comprises a retainer removably mounted to the cartridge body. The retainer is supported on the deck surface when attached to the cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat the first lockout by moving the lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the firing member to permit the firing member to be advanced distally from the starting position when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device and the retainer is removed from the cartridge body.
Example 17—The surgical stapling assembly of Example 16, wherein second lockout comprises an abutment on one of the first and second jaws configured to prevent distal movement of the firing member when the firing member is in a locked position, and wherein the firing member is configured to be moved from the locked position to an unlocked position by the sled of the staple cartridge seated in the surgical stapling device only when the sled is in the unfired position.
Example 18—The surgical stapling assembly of Examples 16 or 17, wherein the lockout arm comprises a first lockout arm configured to releasably engage a first pin on a first lateral side of the firing member, and wherein the first lockout further comprises a second lockout arm configured to releasably engage a second pin on a second lateral side of the firing member.
Example 19—A retainer for use with a surgical staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot, a deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets defined in the deck surface, a staple removably stored within each staple pocket, and a sled configured to fire the staples from the cartridge body when driven by a firing member of the surgical stapling device. The surgical stapling device comprises a first laterally movable lockout arm configured to retainingly engage the firing member to prevent the firing member from moving distally from a starting position. The retainer comprises a retainer body and an authentication key. The retainer body is sized to cover the deck surface and the staple pockets defined therein. The retainer body is removably attachable to the cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly. The authentication key protrudes from a proximal end of the retainer body. The authentication key is configured to laterally move the first lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the firing member when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device.
Example 20—The retainer of Example 19, further comprising a keel member protruding from the retainer body, wherein the keel member is configured to be removably received within the longitudinal slot in the cartridge body.
Example 21—The retainer of Examples 19 or 20, wherein the first laterally movable lockout arm of the surgical stapling device is configured to retainingly engage a first lateral side of the firing member. The surgical stapling device further comprises a second laterally movable lockout arm configured to retainingly engage a second lateral side of the firing member. The authentication key comprises a first proximally extending key ramp and a second proximally extending key ramp. The first proximally extending key ramp is configured to move the first lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the first lateral side of the firing member when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device. The second proximally extending key ramp is configured to move the second lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the second lateral side of the firing member when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device.
Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by a manually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and/or tool assemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgical instrument system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, discloses several examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greater detail.
The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the embodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments are envisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned which utilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an end effector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an end effector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrational energy to seal the tissue.
The entire disclosures of:
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Although various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one ore more other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations.
The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps including, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioning facility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, after cleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.
The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.
While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.
Claims
1. A surgical stapling assembly configured to receive a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot, a deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets opening through the deck surface, a staple removably stored within each staple pocket, and a sled configured to fire the staples from the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke, and wherein said surgical stapling assembly comprises:
- a surgical stapling device, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw; a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position within the longitudinal slot during the staple firing stroke, wherein said firing member is configured to push the sled to fire the staples during the staple firing stroke; a first lockout configured to prevent said firing member from moving distally from said starting position when the staple cartridge is not seated in said surgical stapling device, wherein said first lockout comprises at least one lockout arm configured to releasably retain said firing member in said starting position; and a second lockout configured to prevent said firing member from advancing through the staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in said surgical stapling device, wherein said surgical stapling assembly further comprises:
- a retainer removably mounted to the cartridge body, wherein said retainer is supported on the deck surface when said retainer is attached to the cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly, and wherein said retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat said first lockout by moving said lockout arm out of retaining engagement with said firing member to permit said firing member to be advanced distally from said starting position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said surgical stapling device and said retainer is removed from the cartridge body.
2. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said retainer covers the staple pockets defined in the deck surface when said retainer is attached to the cartridge body, and wherein the staple pockets are exposed when said retainer is removed from the cartridge body.
3. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said authentication key is positioned on only one lateral side of said longitudinal slot.
4. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said first lockout is proximal to said second lockout.
5. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said authentication key is proximal to the cartridge body when said retainer is removably mounted to the cartridge body.
6. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one lockout arm comprises:
- a first lockout arm configured to releasably engage a first lateral side of said firing member; and
- a second lockout arm configured to releasably engage a second lateral side of said firing member.
7. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 6, wherein said authentication key is configured to move said first lockout arm out of engagement with said first lateral side of said firing member and said second lockout arm out of engagement with said second lateral side of said firing member when said retainer is removably mounted to the cartridge body to form said cartridge assembly and said cartridge assembly is seated in said surgical stapling device.
8. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said second lockout comprises an abutment portion on one of said first and second jaws configured to be contacted by said firing member when the spent staple cartridge is seated in the surgical stapling device.
9. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8, wherein said firing member is movable between an unlocked position where said firing member is distally movable from the starting position to the ending position during the staple firing stroke and a locked position where said abutment portion prevents said firing member from moving distally.
10. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 9, wherein the sled in the staple cartridge is configured to move said firing member from said locked position to said unlocked position when the sled is in an unfired position within the staple cartridge and the staple cartridge is seated in said surgical stapling device.
11. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, wherein said at least one lockout arm is configured to move in a first plane between an engaged position where said at least one lockout arm releasably retains said firing member in said starting position and a disengaged position where said at least one lockout arm is moved out of retaining engagement with said firing member to permit said firing member to be advanced distally from said starting position, wherein said firing member is movable in a second plane between said locked position and said unlocked position, and wherein said first plane is orthogonal relative to said second plane.
12. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 10, wherein said first lockout is proximal to the sled of the staple cartridge seated in said surgical stapling device when the sled is in the unfired position.
13. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 6, wherein said first lockout arm is configured to releasably engage a first pin protruding from said first lateral side of said firing member, and wherein said second lockout arm is configured to releasably engage a second pin protruding from said second lateral side of said firing member.
14. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said first jaw comprises a frame configured to receive the staple cartridge, and wherein said first lockout is supported within said frame.
15. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body comprises a proximal end, and wherein said authentication key defeats said first lockout by moving said at least one lockout arm from engagement with said firing member to engagement with the proximal end of the cartridge body.
16. A surgical stapling assembly configured to receive a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot, a deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets opening through the deck surface, a staple removably stored within each staple pocket, and a sled configured to fire the staples from the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke, and wherein said surgical stapling assembly comprises:
- a surgical stapling device, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw; a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position within the longitudinal slot during the staple firing stroke, wherein said firing member is configured to push the sled to fire the staples during the staple firing stroke; a first lockout configured to prevent said firing member from moving distally from said starting position when the staple cartridge is not seated in said surgical stapling assembly, wherein said first lockout comprises a lockout arm configured to releasably retain said firing member in said starting position; and a second lockout configured to prevent said firing member from advancing through the staple firing stroke unless the sled in a staple cartridge that is seated in said surgical stapling device is in an unfired position, wherein said surgical stapling assembly further comprises:
- a retainer removably mounted to the cartridge body, wherein said retainer is supported on the deck surface when attached to the cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly, and wherein said retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat said first lockout by moving said lockout arm out of retaining engagement with said firing member to permit said firing member to be advanced distally from said starting position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said surgical stapling device and said retainer is removed from the cartridge body.
17. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 16, wherein second lockout comprises an abutment on one of said first and second jaws configured to prevent distal movement of said firing member when said firing member is in a locked position, and wherein said firing member is configured to be moved from said locked position to an unlocked position by the sled of the staple cartridge seated in said surgical stapling device only when the sled is in the unfired position.
18. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 17, wherein said lockout arm comprises a first lockout arm configured to releasably engage a first pin on a first lateral side of said firing member, and wherein said first lockout further comprises a second lockout arm configured to releasably engage a second pin on a second lateral side of said firing member.
19. A retainer for use with a surgical staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot, a deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets defined in the deck surface, a staple removably stored within each staple pocket, and a sled configured to fire the staples from the cartridge body when driven by a firing member of the surgical stapling device, wherein the surgical stapling device comprises a first laterally movable lockout arm configured to retainingly engage the firing member to prevent the firing member from moving distally from a starting position, and wherein said retainer comprises:
- a retainer body sized to cover the deck surface and the staple pockets defined therein, wherein said retainer body is removably attachable to the cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly; and
- an authentication key protruding from a proximal end of said retainer body, wherein said authentication key is configured to laterally move the first lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the firing member when said cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device.
20. The retainer of claim 19, further comprising a keel member protruding from said retainer body, wherein said keel member is configured to be removably received within the longitudinal slot in the cartridge body.
21. The retainer of claim 19, wherein the first laterally movable lockout arm of the surgical stapling device is configured to retainingly engage a first lateral side of the firing member, wherein the surgical stapling device further comprises a second laterally movable lockout arm configured to retainingly engage a second lateral side of the firing member, and wherein said authentication key comprises:
- a first proximally extending key ramp configured to move the first lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the first lateral side of the firing member when said cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device; and
- a second proximally extending key ramp configured to move the second lockout arm out of retaining engagement with the second lateral side of the firing member when said cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2019
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2020
Patent Grant number: 11369377
Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux (Cincinnati, OH), Gregory J. Bakos (Mason, OH), Richard W. Timm (Cincinnati, OH)
Application Number: 16/453,283